Moreira withdraws in Qatar with elbow nerve problem

Diogo Moreira was forced to withdraw from the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday after a modest Sprint race result outside the points. The LCR Honda rider had been suffering from elbow pain linked to an injury sustained at the Sachsenring in last year's Moto2 race.

Moreira said the pain began on Friday and worsened through the weekend. He had already felt discomfort in Malaysia the previous week, where he raced on. In the Sprint he felt it in the final laps, but on Sunday he said it was impossible to continue. He also pointed to the physical demands of the Asian rounds, particularly the track's many right-hand corners.

Moreira has a week off before the penultimate round in Portimao, which he said will allow him to recover and keep training. He said he expects to be back to full fitness for that event.